Editor’s Note: Big changes coming for SNEWS
Exciting things are in store for the outdoor industry’s most trusted news source: rebranding, a new website, and fresh energy.
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As we settle into 2021, it feels like a good time for change. For 37 years, SNEWS has been delivering outdoor industry news, trends, opinions, and analysis and I’m excited to announce that in the next few months, we will be rebranding and launching a new website. These changes are intended to deepen and enrich your experience with our content by making it more engaging and accessible. But before we look forward, let’s look back.
A brief history of SNEWS
If you are of a certain age, you probably know that the name SNEWS (pronounced “snooze,” not “S news”) is short for “specialty news.” It began as a humble, printed monthly newsletter containing “inside information, hot tips, and gossip” according Bob “Woody” Woodward, the publication’s founder. Printed on orange paper (which was hard to photocopy), Woody sold subscriptions to retailers for $100 a month, an exorbitant fee at that time. But shop owners bit, and Woody gained legions of fans for what he characterized as “irreverent, caustic, funny, hard-hitting” content.
In 2002, Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian took the reins and SNEWS grew up. The duo launched a website, broadened the scope and reach, conducted surveys, and brought a keen sense of both journalism and business sense to the brand.
A new name
Our new name will better—and more clearly—reflect the totality of what we do: cover all aspects of the outdoor industry with deep, balanced reporting that reflects diverse opinions and perspectives. Rebranding is always a challenge, especially for a legacy brand like SNEWS. But we want our content to be open and welcoming to all people interested in the outdoor industry, not just geared toward the old-schoolers and insiders.
We’re not yet ready to unveil our new name yet, but stay tuned!
A new website
Sometime in March, our new site will launch with a fresh look and a suite of new features and tools that will better serve our audience and customers.
We’re revamping our press release posting system and our new site will feature press releases in a more prominent, impactful way with an easier interface. Stay tuned for more info on this in the coming days.
An important update on newsletters in the next few weeks
We are making an email system upgrade and will be pausing our newsletter for a few weeks, starting Monday, January 11, 2021. Our newsletter will resume by February 1st and rest assured: We’ll be back to ensure you continue to receive the news you love from the SNEWS team directly to your inbox.
In the meantime, we will continue to publish daily content and promote it on our social media platforms. To stay up to date during our newsletter hiatus, please follow us on these platforms.
The Voice is out
The Winter 2021 issue of our award-winning magazine, The Voice, is in the mail, so subscribers, be on the lookout for your copy. Featuring beautiful original artwork by Eduardo Denniz, our special Sustainability Issue dives into the real roadblocks and solutions our industry faces on its journey to protect our planet and reduce climate impacts. We also explore the ever-expanding ambitions of REI, examine the successes and failures of our industry’s attempt to combat racism, and present 29 ways to build loyalty and satisfaction among your employees. Plus so much more.
I wish you all a happy, healthy, peaceful new year. Thank you for being part of our community.
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or just want to say “hi,” please reach out at khostetter@pocketoutdoormedia.com.
Cheers,
Kristin Hostetter
Editorial Director
